Henry Gilbert’s biography, Akron Township, Tuscola County, Michigan

Copyright © 2000 by Bonnie Petee. This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  

 

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HENRY H. GILBERT, farmer, was born in Genesee County, Mich., August 12, 1842.  
He was bereaved of his father at the age of ten years.  In 1855 he went west to 
Illinois, and remained there until the outbreak of the late rebellion.  On September 
12, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Company C., and served 
his country until discharged January 24, 1864, by reason of general disability. His 
first engagement was in the midst of darkness.  When marching to meet a band of 
guerillas the advance scouts suddenly turned and came dashing back. As the 
scouts passed the lines, a general fire was ordered, and was followed by a most 
fearful braying from a herd of peaceable farm mules without any, riders, over 100 
of which in the morning were found dead or disabled in the road where they had 
met with and followed the horses of the advance scouts.  Mr. Gilbert fought at 
Fort Henry, Fort Donalson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, second battle of 
Corinth and Vicksburg, and other minor engagements.  He received three sabre 
thrusts and five gunshot wounds; the severest of which was received while on 
picket duty.   Thirty three buckshots and a mass of fine shot were afterward taken 
from his person, and one buckshot still remains, having been for twenty years 
firmly lodged in the rear part of the head a little below the skin.  On being 
discharged he returned to Livingston County, Mich., and on March 14, 1865, he 
was married to Miss Lois Carr, of the same county.  They had three sons, one of 
whom is dead.  Those living are Birtzell H., and Alfred C.
They settled in Wisner in November, 1867, and prepared them a pioneer home on 
the prairie.  The country was wet and without roads or conveniences for 
transportation, except by boats or canoes.  On April 1, 1873, Mrs. Gilbert died of 
bronchial affection.  Mr. Gilbert’s second marriage was to Miss Emma Leonard, 
of Geneva, December 25, 1874.  They have one son, Levi Leonard.  In 1882 Mr. 
Gilbert sold his Wisner estate, of eighty acres, for $3,000, and has now a farm of 
twenty acres in Akron, formerly Geneva, which will be their future home.  Mr. 
Gilbert has been postmaster in Wisner seven years and supervisor six years.  He 
belongs to the Northen Star Lodge of F. & A. M. and he and Mrs. Gilbert are 
members of the regular Baptist Church.